The controlled chemical oxidative polymerization of metanilic anion $(m{\text{-NH}}_2{\text{C}}_6{\text{H}}_4{\text{SO}}_3^{-})$$(m{\rm{ - N}}{{\rm{H}}_2}{{\rm{C}}_6}{{\rm{H}}_4}{\rm{SO}}_3^ - )$ within the interlayer of NiAl layered double hydroxide was performed using, for the first time, ammonium persulfate as the oxidizing agent. The quantity of oxidizing agent required for control of the interlayer polymerization was investigated systematically and it was found that interleaved polyaniline sulfonic (PANIS) was present in different oxidation states and protonation levels when different quantities of external oxidizing agents were added. A mechanism for the oxidative polymerization of metanilic anion in NiAl layered double hydroxide is proposed, based on the intercalation of the oxidizing agent and the interlayer polymerization of monomer. The resulting PANIS/NiAl LDH composites were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, ultraviolet-visible absorption spectra, Fourier transform infrared and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.

Here we report a facile and mild synthesis of the sulfonated graphene (PSS-RGO) catalysts by in situ polymerization of sodium p-styrenesulfonate. Graphene sheets can be used as the flat backbones to graft abundant sulfonate groups on both sides. The PSS-RGO catalysts were characterized by 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H NMR), energy dispersive spectrometer, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and so on. The catalytic properties of the PSS-RGO catalysts for the hydrolysis of ethyl acetate and the esterification of acetic acid with ethanol were evaluated, showing that the as-made PSS-RGO catalysts were active for both probe reactions. The possible deactivation mechanism involved in the surface catalysis of the graphene-based acid catalysts has been addressed.

A ternary Nickel foam (NF)–graphene/MnO2/polyaniline (PANI) nanocomposite has been synthesized using green chemistry approach (in situ polymerization). All reactants were dispersed homogeneously in precursor solution in the form of ions and molecules. PANI and MnO2 molecules on the NF–graphene contact each other and are arranged alternately in the composite. Alternative arrangement of PANI and MnO2 nanoparticles separates them and prevents the aggregation of PANI and MnO2 to decrease the particle size of the composite on the surface of NF–graphene. The intermolecule contact improves the conductivity of the composite. The composite showed excellent specific capacitance of 1081 F/g at a scan rate of 1 mV/s and specific capacitance of 815 F/g at a current density of 3 A/g, having excellent cycling stability. Current study provides an alternative pathway to improve the rate capability and cycling stability of nanostructured electrodes, by offering a great promise for their applications in supercapacitors.